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Recently people across America have been surprising Hollywood folks. It started with the television show “Yellowstone”, which grew in what are called the C and D markets --- not the major cities on the coasts, but rather the “other places” in America. The same thing has happened with the film A Man Called Otto. It’s playing better outside of the coasts. You can see more about this in a trade article that I came across here.
I love this as it’s what I see again and again on Bookreporter --- when we ask attendees of our online events where they live, when I look at where people are entering contests from, when I read emails and people note where they are from. We are reaching people across the country, as well as on the coasts. When we started in 1996, we were on America Online, and maybe that is why we built a cross-country audience from the start.
What’s been really exciting for us in the past three years is how much more we have been connecting with our readers at our online events --- and how we have been bringing authors to readers with our interviews and other programming.
For years we would hear from people that they had never seen an author program and how pretty unlikely it was that authors would turn up where they lived. While what we are doing is not live and in person, we are doing our best to give you the chance to hear from authors who you might never get to see. So whether you are in a major city or the smallest of towns, we are so glad that you are reading with us.
Our BIG goal for 2023 is to grow our audience. But I do not want to do tricks to accomplish this. I want to grow it organically and steadily, one person at a time. So if you like what you are reading and want to help, please forward this email to friends who may enjoy it. And if you already did this, thank you!
It’s been a busy week. We have two new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter.
First up is Allegra Goodman, whose latest novel, SAM, is this month’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick. What happens to a girl’s sense of joy and belonging --- to her belief in herself --- as she becomes a woman? This unforgettable portrait of coming-of-age offers subtle yet powerful reflections on class, parenthood, addiction, lust and the irrepressible power of dreams.
We talk about the character development of Sam, and Allegra’s challenge of writing her with the right voice as she ages. We also explore Sam’s worldview during her coming of age and how it changes through the years as risk comes more to the forefront. Allegra explains why she included climbing in the book and who inspired Sam as a young climber. And we share our love of adventure films, namely one called Free Solo. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
My second interview is with Deborah Goodrich Royce, whose new book, REEF ROAD, is a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. This is Deborah’s third novel and was inspired by the murder of her mother’s best friend. When young surfers discover a severed hand that washes ashore in the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach, Florida, the lives of two women collide.
Deborah talks about this grisly scene, which she added later --- and the woman the boys never see on the beach. She offers insight into why she writes short chapters and the two voices in the book --- those of The Writer and The Wife. She has experience on the screen as an actress and as a script editor, which influences her writing. She also has restored a number of historic places, namely Ocean House in Rhode Island, and discusses how this skill finds its way into her novels. Deborah references a number of books and films that she has read and watched --- and details how they inspire her as a writer. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event, which will take place next Wednesday, January 25th at 8pm ET.
Our guest will be Nita Prose, and we will be talking about her debut novel, THE MAID. This #1 New York Times bestseller, a "Good Morning America" Book Club pick and a Bets On selection is now in paperback. Our reviewer Kayla Provencher says, “It’s hard not to love a murder mystery with a nice, tidy ending --- and THE MAID is nothing if not fastidious. This is a debut novel with sheets that are spotless of errors and folded together just right. Upon finishing the book, anticipate checking dark corners for strangers and your pages for unseemly dog-ear creases.”
You can register for the event by clicking here. If you would like to ask Nita a question on camera during the event and chat with her in our “backstage green room” before the event, please email me with your question using the subject line “The Maid” by Wednesday at noon ET. Those who are camera shy can send their questions via the Q&A feature on Zoom.
Marie Benedict’s newly released work of historical fiction is THE MITFORD AFFAIR, and I am happy to announce that it will be a Bets On pick. I just loved it. My book group is going to be reading it for February, and I truly hope that they all enjoy it as much as I did. The book revolves around novelist Nancy Mitford, who must choose between country and family when two of her sisters swear their allegiance to fascism in the lead-up to World War II.
According to our reviewer Rebecca Munro, “It should come as no surprise that the history is meticulously researched, atmospheric in both scope and detail. But Benedict exemplifies yet another one of her many talents by focusing on three sisters here, rather than a husband and wife, as she has done in so many of her previous books.... Dishy, riveting and absorbingly complicated, THE MITFORD AFFAIR is a close and anxiety-fueled look at the darkest hours of the Mitford family and the world at large. It is a spellbinding work of historical fiction from one of the genre’s finest writers.”
Find out why I’m betting you’ll love THE MITFORD AFFAIR in next week’s newsletter. In the meantime, be sure to check out this Q&A with Marie where she talks about her research, developing her plot and characters, and the subject of loyalty, which is one of the novel’s biggest themes.
In THE CABINET OF DR. LENG, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child continue their #1 bestselling series featuring FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene, as they cross paths with New York’s deadliest serial killer: Pendergast’s own ancestor…and now his greatest foe.
Our reviewer Ray Palen says, “More than any other Preston & Child book in recent memory, THE CABINET OF DR. LENG mixes the paranormal with science fiction and top-notch psychological thrills. The result is a novel that reads like a high-octane amusement park ride that you never want to see end. Preston & Child are in limited company with writers who are able to successfully blend these genres, including James Rollins, Steve Berry and Christopher Golden.... This spectacular read ends somewhat abruptly on a cliffhanger that clearly sets up the next entry in the series, which cannot come fast enough for me.”
THE HOUSE IN THE PINES, Ana Reyes’ debut novel, is Reese’s Book Club pick for January. Armed with only hazy memories, a woman who long ago witnessed her friend’s sudden, mysterious death and has since spent her life trying to forget sets out to track down answers. What she uncovers, deep in the woods, is hardly to be believed.
Rebecca Munro has our review and says, “A riveting whodunit combined with an unreliable narrator and a dual timeline is an instant win for me. Even more impressive, though, is how stellar Reyes’ writing is: it's crisp and brisk, but also complex and expertly woven. The control she has over the narrator and her hazy memories is reminiscent of Gillian Flynn.... THE HOUSE IN THE PINES announces the arrival of a brilliant new voice in the thriller genre --- a confident, assured writer who already is making popular tropes her own.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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INDEPENDENCE: Set during the partition of British India in 1947, a time when neighbor was pitted against neighbor and families were torn apart, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s latest novel brings to life the sweeping story of three sisters caught up in events beyond their control, their unbreakable bond and their incredible struggle against powerful odds.
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A GUEST AT THE FEAST: In this brilliant and engaging collection of essays, Colm Tóibín talks about growing up in Ireland during radical change, as well as cancer, priests, popes, homosexuality and literature. It is both an intimate encounter with a supremely creative artist and a glorious celebration of writing.
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QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY: Packed with dramatic true stories from one of European history’s most romantic and turbulent eras, this concluding volume in Alison Weir’s England's Medieval Queens series chronicles the five vividly rendered queens of the Plantagenet kings who ruled England between 1299 and 1399.
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HOW FAR THE LIGHT REACHES: A queer, mixed-race writer working in a largely white, male field, science and conservation journalist Sabrina Imbler has always been drawn to the mystery of life in the sea, and particularly to creatures living in hostile or remote environments. Each essay in their debut collection profiles one such creature.
Winter Reading Update
We launched our Winter Reading contests this week by giving away CLYTEMNESTRA by debut novelist Costanza Casati, which releases on March 7th. Our next prize book will be J.T. Ellison’s new psychological thriller, IT’S ONE OF US, which will be in stores on February 21st. The giveaway will be up on Tuesday, January 24th at noon ET.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, February 3rd at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win EXILES by Jane Harper (which also will be a Winter Reading prize book later this month) and THE SHARDS by Bret Easton Ellis. We will feature our reviews of both in the next couple of weeks.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Our latest poll asks if you read or post reviews on Goodreads. Click here to let us know.
For our previous poll, we wanted to know the genres that best describe the book that you most recently read or listened to. Here are your top five genres: Fiction (37%), Mystery (30%), Historical Fiction (29%), Suspense/Thriller (21%), and Autobiography/Memoir (9%). Click here for all the results.
Mystery Writers of America has announced the nominees for the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, which honors the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in 2022. Among the finalists are the aforementioned THE MAID by Nita Prose (Best Novel), QUARRY’S BLOOD by Max Allan Collins (Best Paperback Original), AMERICAN DEMON: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America's Jack the Ripper by Daniel Stashower (Best Fact Crime), and AGATHA CHRISTIE: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley (Best Critical/Biographical). Click here for the full list. The winners will be announced on April 27th.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Linda wrote: “Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was one of the several readers who won five books in your End-of-the-Year Contest! I so look forward to all the emails I receive from you during the week previewing the books that you recommend, and I can’t wait to read the books that I won. I actually read two of them already and will be sure to pass them along to my other friends who love to read as much as I do. Thanks for all your hard work in keeping all your followers in the know!”
Betty wrote, “I was delighted to read that Mary Lou D., a contest winner, is from Washingtonville, NY. I just wanted to share a bit about a village that is dear to my heart. It’s 'small town America' and home to the Brotherhood Winery, the oldest in the US. Located about 60 miles north of NYC, touring their buildings and wine tasting makes it a nice day trip. There’s even a restaurant on the premises. It’s also where I share a home with my daughter and her family, and where my husband's ancestors are buried. The town library was renovated recently, but they kept part of the old building, including the Tiffany stained-glass windows and clock tower --- another place to visit if you ever have the opportunity.” That really sounds lovely and worth a visit!
Debbie wrote, “I watched the video with Charmaine Wilkerson. I chose BLACK CAKE for my book club pick for January and will discuss with my group tomorrow. So interesting. I loved THE MAID and heard it will be a miniseries. Our February book club pick is THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY. I will watch your video before that meeting too. I love your website! I have sent your site to everyone I know. Great recommendations and interviews. You always recommend great Netflix shows too.”
For the True Crime Lovers in Our Audience: Last Friday night's “Dateline NBC,” about the slayings in Idaho last November, was terrific. Really comprehensive coverage of the story to date, including what all the TikTok folks got wrong and how the investigation unfolded. You can watch it on demand if you have cable, and a link is here too, though I am not quite sure how you view it. I feel like watching even network television these days hinges on how you connect to it.
“Abbott Elementary” on ABC and HBO Max: This show has won all kinds of awards, but I had never watched it. Dara, one of our book group members, mentioned it the other night, so I watched a few episodes that night. I have been missing out. Set in an inner-city Philadelphia school, it’s really fun and dead-on sharp. The teachers are an eclectic and amusing cast of characters trying to make the most with the least amount of money. It's brisk and funny.
“Branson” on HBO: I always watch television when I cook, bake or iron. I know this really makes me sound like Susie Homemaker. I will confess that I ironed the Easter napkins in early December when I was determined to empty the laundry room before Christmas. I am not quite sure why it was so necessary to empty the laundry room. Was Santa not going to stop here if the Easter napkins were not ironed? But I digress. I really meant to tell you that as I was playing Carol the Homemaker, I watched the HBO series about Richard Branson. I knew all the bits and pieces about him, but seeing them together was interesting and quite fun. His wife has got to be one of the most understanding women on planet earth. You can see a preview here.
“1923” on Paramount+: Taylor Sheridan’s empire, which includes some of Tom and my favorites --- the aforementioned “Yellowstone” and “1883” --- adds “1923” to the mix. The first couple of episodes require attention to get all the players figured out as there are storylines in Montana and Africa. Yes, you read that right. And both settings are full of characters. Here is a great piece about creating those settings from the January 7th edition of the Wall Street Journal.
“Break Point” on Netflix: I watched all five episodes last weekend and really enjoyed them. Getting inside not only the Australian Open, but also Indian Wells, the French Open and the Madrid Open was so interesting. You get to know some of the players --- and brush against others. They will be back with episodes from Wimbledon and the US Open later in the year. The Australian Open has begun. Our Editorial Director, Tom Donadio, has been clocking some late nights/early mornings to watch. I will ask him when the semifinals start, and I will try to tune in. I am NOT a morning person.
Oh, and I promised to report back about SPARE. I read about 100 pages over the last week. First, it’s very, very well written. The book's ghostwriter, J.R. Moehringer, penned his own memoir, THE TENDER BAR, and ghostwrote Andre Agassi's memoir, OPEN. That said, I also am finding it to be really bleak and sad. When Harry gets to boarding school, two weeks after his mother passes away and no one mentions a word about it, the tone is pretty much set for some dark reading. You do feel like you are in the room with him telling his story. And it is much better than the way he is telling the story on countless talk shows. If any others have read it, I will be interested in your opinions.
I am reading and really enjoying THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo, which releases on April 10th. A mother and daughter head to Paris for a week-long getaway. The mother is a renowned physician who is always smartly dressed and perfectly on point. The daughter, who just was awarded a beauty company's high-end advertising contract, has been through a divorce. Her wardrobe is lacking in her mother's eyes. Tossed together in the City of Light, they talk more honestly to each other than they have done in the past. It's brisk and fun, and when reading it, I feel like I am on their trip. Ah, the pot du chocolate...wait, keep reading. I may be able to make that!
We watched lots of football last weekend. And Tom and I are all set to root for the Giants on Saturday night. Besides the Giants, I am pulling for the Chiefs, the Bills and the 49ers. Let’s see how my predictions unfold. Last weekend, I also spent a chunk of time reading in the hot tub, which was enormously fun. I bought a cushion, so I sit higher in the water to not get my book --- and my hair --- wet. The sun was out, and I pretended it was not chilly and windy.
I can happily report that the Christmas decorations are all put away. We still need to work on the pantry. Tom installed pullout drawers last year when we last delved into this task. We have an entire section with hot chocolate and marshmallows, including three varieties of the latter. Now ask me the last time that either of us drank hot chocolate, with or without marshmallows. There is something about having them on hand that makes me feel like we are ready for a blizzard, which is something that we have only seen on the news so far. I know, I can mail these to our friends, or readers, in snowy places. I also might be harboring memories of when the boys were young, and they had friends here to build snow forts. Or, as noted above, maybe it will be enjoyed while reading!
Cory turns 28 on Monday, so I need to prepare the annual fudge marble cake with chocolate frosting. I wonder if there is a mix in the pantry? Reason #43 to do this reorganization task. He and his girlfriend, Kaltrina, are coming for dinner, which will be a lot of fun. They are taking that day off and planning to go go-carting at a newish indoor place that looks like a ton of fun. Oh, and I still am 27, no matter how old he is!
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
Featured Review & Interview:
THE MITFORD AFFAIR by Marie Benedict
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
Probing the torrid political climate in the lead-up to World War II and the ways that seemingly sensible people can be sucked into radical action, THE MITFORD AFFAIR follows novelist Nancy Mitford's valiant efforts to stop the Nazis from taking over Great Britain, and the complicated choices she must make between the personal and the political. In this interview, Marie Benedict talks about why she decided to take a certain degree of liberty with this true story and add more action to it; the kinds of sources she consulted in order to learn more about the Mitford sisters and their world; which sister she found the most challenging to write about and understand; and why she believes that loyalty must have its limits.
THE MITFORD AFFAIR by Marie Benedict (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Emma Griffiths
Between the World Wars, the six Mitford sisters dominate the English scenes. Though they've weathered scandals before, the family falls into disarray when Diana divorces her wealthy husband to marry a fascist leader and Unity follows her sister's lead all the way to Munich, inciting rumors that she's become Hitler's mistress. As the Nazis rise in power, novelist Nancy Mitford grows suspicious of her sisters' constant visits to Germany and the high-ranking fascist company they keep. When she overhears alarming conversations and uncovers disquieting documents, Nancy must make excruciating choices as Great Britain goes to war with Germany. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Read our review and the interview.
THE MITFORD AFFAIR will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review:
THE CABINET OF DR. LENG
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
THE CABINET OF DR. LENG: A Pendergast Novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jefferson Mays
Astoundingly, Constance Greene has found a way back to the place of her origins, New York City in the late 1800s, leaping at the chance, although it means leaving the present forever. Constance sets off on a quest to prevent the events that lead to the deaths of her sister and brother. But along the road to redemption, Manhattan’s most infamous serial killer, Dr. Enoch Leng, lies in wait, ready to strike at the slightest provocation. Meanwhile, in contemporary New York, FBI Special Agent Pendergast feverishly searches for a way to reunite with Constance. But will he discover a way back to her before it’s too late? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE HOUSE IN THE PINES by Ana Reyes
Reese’s Book Club Pick for January
THE HOUSE IN THE PINES by Ana Reyes (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Marisol Ramirez
Maya was a high school senior when her best friend, Aubrey, mysteriously dropped dead in front of the enigmatic man named Frank. Seven years later, Maya’s past comes rushing back when she comes across a recent YouTube video in which a young woman suddenly keels over and dies in a diner while sitting across from none other than Frank. She heads to her Berkshires hometown to relive that fateful summer --- the influence Frank once had on her and the obsessive jealousy that nearly destroyed her friendship with Aubrey. At her mother’s house, she excavates fragments of her past and notices hidden messages in her deceased Guatemalan father’s book that didn’t stand out to her earlier. To save herself, she must understand a story written before she was born. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to visit the Reese's Book Club website.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's Eighth Annual
Winter Reading Contests and Feature
At Bookreporter.com, we are kicking off 2023 with our eighth annual Winter Reading Contests and Feature. On select days in January and February, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next prize book will be announced on Tuesday, January 24th at noon ET.
This year's contest titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Featured Review: INDEPENDENCE
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
INDEPENDENCE by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Sneha Mathan
India, 1947. In a rural village in Bengal live three sisters. Priya is intelligent and idealistic, resolved to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor. Deepa is the beauty, determined to make a marriage that will bring her family joy and status. Jamini is devout, sharp-eyed and a talented quiltmaker, with deeper passions than she reveals. Theirs is a home of love and safety, a refuge from the violent events taking shape in the nation. Then their father is killed during a riot, and even their neighbors turn against them. When the partition of India is officially decided, a drastic --- and dangerous --- change is in the air. The sisters find themselves separated from one another, each on different paths. They fear for what will happen not just to themselves, but to each other. Reviewed by Megan Elliott.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: A GUEST AT THE FEAST by Colm Tóibín
A GUEST AT THE FEAST: Essays by Colm Tóibín (Essays)
Audiobook available, read by Colm Tóibín
“It all started with my balls.” So begins Colm Tóibín’s fabulously compelling essay, laced with humor, about his diagnosis and treatment for cancer. Tóibín survives, but he has entered, as he says, “the age of one ball.” The second essay in this collection is a memoir about growing up in the 1950s and ’60s in the small town of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, the setting for many of Tóibín’s novels and stories, including BROOKLYN, THE BLACKWATER LIGHTSHIP and NORA WEBSTER. Tóibín describes his education by priests, several of whom were condemned years later for abuse. He writes about Irish history and literature, and about the long, tragic journey toward legal and social acceptance of homosexuality. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY
by Alison Weir
QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY: England's Medieval Queens, Volume Three by Alison Weir (History)
The Age of Chivalry describes a period of medieval history dominated by the social, religious and moral code of knighthood that prized noble deeds, military greatness, and the game of courtly love between aristocratic men and women. It was also a period of high drama in English history, which included the toppling of two kings, the Hundred Years War, the Black Death and the Peasants’ Revolt. Feudalism was breaking down, resulting in social and political turmoil. Against this dramatic milieu, Alison Weir describes the lives and reigns of five queen consorts: Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
HOW FAR THE LIGHT REACHES
by Sabrina Imbler
HOW FAR THE LIGHT REACHES: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler (Memoir/Science)
Audiobook available, read by Sabrina Imbler
A queer, mixed-race writer working in a largely white, male field, science and conservation journalist Sabrina Imbler has always been drawn to the mystery of life in the sea, and particularly to creatures living in hostile or remote environments. Each essay in their debut collection profiles one such creature: the mother octopus who starves herself while watching over her eggs, the Chinese sturgeon whose migration route has been decimated by pollution and dams, the bizarre Bobbitt worm (named after Lorena), and other uncanny creatures lurking in the deep ocean, far below where the light reaches. Imbler discovers that some of the most radical models of family, community and care can be found in the sea. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
LIE TO HER by Melinda Leigh (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Christina Traister
When a digital marketer is found murdered in his backyard --- hands bound and face smothered by plastic wrap --- Sheriff Bree Taggert and criminal investigator Matt Flynn respond to the call. Their investigation focuses on the man’s dating-app profile and the word liar carved into his forehead. One day later, the killer strikes again. Both victims are players in the internet dating scene. In their wake, they leave a trail of hurt --- and angry --- women. But Bree and Matt aren’t convinced the motive is as simple as it appears. Everyone they interview seems to be lying or hiding something. As the list of suspects grows, the killer’s rage escalates, and he leaves a personal and deadly warning for Bree. They must act fast. Because someone Bree loves is targeted as the next to die. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE GIRLS WHO DISAPPEARED by Claire Douglas (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joanne Froggatt
In a rural Wiltshire town lies the Devil’s Corridor, a haunted road that has witnessed eerie happenings, from unexplained deaths to the sounds of a child crying in the night. In this bucolic stretch of Southwest England famous for its otherworldly sites, nothing is more puzzling than the Olivia Rutherford case. Four girls were driving home. After their car crashed, only one --- Olivia --- was found. What happened to the girls who disappeared? On the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, journalist Jenna Halliday has arrived in Wiltshire to cover the case. The locals have made it clear she’s not welcome. But someone is going to make her leave one way or another. Jenna has been warned: she must get out of this town before she suffers a dark fate…and becomes another mystery attached to this place. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
BETTER THE BLOOD: A Hana Westerman Thriller by Michael Bennett (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Miriama McDowell and Richard Te Are
Led to a crime scene by a mysterious video, Māori detective Hana Westerman discovers a man ritualistically hanging in a secret room and a puzzling inward-curving inscription. Delving into the investigation after a second, apparently unrelated death, she uncovers a chilling connection to a historic crime: 160 years before, during the brutal and bloody British colonization of New Zealand, a troop of colonial soldiers unjustly executed a Māori Chief. Hana realizes that the murders are utu --- the Māori tradition of rebalancing for the crime committed eight generations ago. There were six soldiers in the British troop, and since descendants of two of the soldiers have been killed, four more potential murders remain. Hana is thus hunting New Zealand’s first serial killer. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
WADE IN THE WATER by Nyani Nkrumah (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Eboni Flowers and Teri Schnaubelt
Set in 1982, in rural, racially divided Ricksville, Mississippi, WADE IN THE WATER tells the story of Ella, a Black, unloved, precocious 11-year-old, and Ms. St. James, a mysterious white woman from Princeton who appears in Ella’s community to carry out some research. Soon, Ms. St. James befriends Ella, who is willing to risk everything to keep her new friend in a town that does not want her there. The relationship between Ella and Ms. St. James, at times loving and funny and other times tense and cautious, becomes more fraught and complex as Ella unwittingly pushes at Ms. St. James’ carefully constructed boundaries that guard a complicated past, and dangerous secrets that could have devastating consequences. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
KILLER STORY by Matt Witten (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Harley Jane Kozak
Talented and idealistic young reporter Petra Kovach is on the brink of being laid off from her third failing newspaper in a row. To save her job, she pitches the launch of a true crime podcast about a sensational, unsolved murder. Years earlier, an alt-right YouTuber was killed in her Harvard dorm room, and the case went cold. Petra knew the victim; she was once her camp counselor and loved her like a little sister, despite their political differences. Petra’s investigation gets off to a rocky start, as her promising leads quickly shrivel up. In her passionate quest for justice --- and clicks --- Petra burns sources and breaks laws, ultimately putting her own life on the line. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
ANATOMY OF 55 MORE SONGS: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop and Soul by Marc Myers (Music/History)
Audiobook available, read by Michael Butler Murray
Songs that sell the most copies become hits, but some of those hits become something more --- iconic recordings that not only inspire a generation but also change the direction of music. In ANATOMY OF 55 MORE SONGS, based on his column for the Wall Street Journal, music journalist and historian Marc Myers tells the story behind 55 rock, pop, R&B, country and soul-gospel hits through intimate interviews with the artists who wrote and recorded them. The book ranges from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” to Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By,” The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.” Through an absorbing, chronological, song-by-song analysis of the most memorable post-war hits, Myers provides a sweeping look at the evolution of pop music between 1964 and today. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (www.RonKaplansBaseballBookshelf.com).
REGRETS ONLY by Kieran Scott (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Amanda Dolan, Sura Siu and Lanna Joffrey
Paige Lancaster has returned to the East Coast from her prestigious, well-paid job in Los Angeles, writing for the smartest detective series on television. Something terrible happened to her, leaving her broke, homeless, and living with her widowed mother and eight-year-old daughter, Izzy. Paige meets the movers and shakers of Izzy’s school’s Parent Booster Association, run by the intimidatingly gorgeous Ainsley Anderson, who just happens to be married to Paige’s old high school flame, John. Then she shows up at the annual Parents and Pinot fundraiser, held at Ainsley and John’s dazzling mansion, where she’s caught in a compromising position with John. Later that night, Ainsley turns up dead at the bottom of her own driveway. Did she fall? Or was she pushed? Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
YOU NEVER SAID GOODBYE by Luca Veste (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by George Weightman
Sam Cooper is on the verge of a happy life --- a true feat after his disastrous childhood. Sam's mother, Laurie, died tragically and his father was torn apart by grief. But now, after years of silence, Sam's father makes a shocking confession on his deathbed. Who was Laurie Cooper? What happens when you discover you've been lied to for 25 years? Sam is determined to find out, but someone wants to silence the truth forever. Following a trail from London to Connecticut, Sam will have to uncover exactly what his mother did and why --- no matter the cost. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on January 24th
Below are some notable titles releasing on January 24th that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks available the week of January 23rd, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
ALL HALLOWS by Christopher Golden (Horror/Thriller)
New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning author Christopher Golden is best known for his supernatural thrillers set in deadly, distant locales. But in this suburban Halloween drama, Golden brings the horror home.
THE BIG BUNDLE by Max Allan Collins (Historical Thriller/Mystery)
TRUE CRIME detective Nathan Heller returns in a brand new case that connects a millionaire’s kidnapped child to Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign to bring down union boss Jimmy Hoffa.
THE BULLET GARDEN: An Earl Swagger Novel by Stephen Hunter (Historical Thriller)
The long-anticipated origin story of legendary Marine, fan favorite and father of literary icon Bob Lee takes us to the battlefields of World War II as Earl Swagger embarks on a top-secret and deadly mission.
CHILDREN OF THE STATE: Stories of Survival and Hope in the Juvenile Justice System by Jeff Hobbs (Biography/Social Science)
From the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of THE SHORT AND TRAGIC LIFE OF ROBERT PEACE comes a timely, insightful and groundbreaking look at the school-to-prison pipeline and life in the juvenile “justice” system.
THE DEVIL'S RANSOM: A Pike Logan Novel by Brad Taylor (Thriller/Adventure)
In this latest explosive thriller from New York Times bestselling author and former special forces officer Brad Taylor, Pike Logan races to stop an insidious attack orchestrated by a man who knows America’s most treasured secrets.
THE FARAWAY WORLD: Stories by Patricia Engel (Fiction/Short Stories)
From Patricia Engel, whose novel INFINITE COUNTRY was a New York Times bestseller and a Reese’s Book Club pick, comes an exquisite collection of 10 haunting, award-winning short stories set across the Americas and linked by themes of migration, sacrifice and moral compromise.
THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Dean Koontz (Science Fiction/Supernatural Thriller)
Soon no one on Earth will have a place to hide in this novel about fears known and unknown by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz.
UNRAVELING: What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World's Ugliest Sweater by Peggy Orenstein (Memoir)
In this lively, funny memoir, Peggy Orenstein sets out to make a sweater from scratch --- shearing, spinning, dyeing wool --- and in the process discovers how we find our deepest selves through craft. Orenstein spins a yarn that will appeal to everyone.
WACO: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage by Jeff Guinn (True Crime)
From former investigative reporter Jeff Guinn, the bestselling author of MANSON and THE ROAD TO JONESTOWN, comes the definitive account of the disastrous siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, featuring never-before-seen documents, photographs and interviews.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Nita Prose, Christopher Golden, Janice Hallett
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
As many book and author events are still happening online these days, we are highlighting a number of them that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links below for more info and to register.
Monday, January 23rd at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome New York Times bestselling and Bram Stoker Award-winning author Christopher Golden for a live, virtual discussion of ROAD OF BONES, which is now in paperback, as part of the B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. He will be in conversation with Gretchen Felker-Martin, the author of MANHUNT.
Monday, January 23rd at 3pm ET: Murder By The Book: Janice Hallett will talk to Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello about her new novel, THE TWYFORD CODE, which explores the mysterious connection between a teacher’s disappearance and an unsolved code in a children’s book.
Monday, January 23rd at 5pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Marie Benedict will talk about her new work of historical fiction, THE MITFORD AFFAIR, an explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to choose her country or her sisters.
Monday, January 23rd at 7:30pm ET: “Lisa Live!”: Join Lisa Scottoline every Monday night as she hosts her weekly “Talking LOYALTY” video series and Facebook Live events leading up to the publication of her historical novel, LOYALTY, on March 28th. And be sure to enter the LOYALTY Pre-order Sweepstakes!
Tuesday, January 24th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome #1 New York Times bestselling authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for a live, virtual discussion of THE CABINET OF DR. LENG, their latest Agent Pendergast thriller, as part of the B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series.
Wednesday, January 25th at 1pm ET: Simon & Schuster's Book Club Favorites: Carole Johnstone will join members of the Simon & Schuster team to discuss her new novel, THE BLACKHOUSE, which is January's pick for S&S's Book Club Favorites.
Wednesday, January 25th at 7pm ET: American Booksellers Association/Publishers Lunch: Publishers Lunch founder Michael Cader will host the Buzz Books Editors Panel, a virtual event sponsored by Publishers Lunch and the American Booksellers Association. Six breakout authors will chat with their editors about their forthcoming titles.
Wednesday, January 25th at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry --- will talk to Marie Benedict about her latest novel, THE MITFORD AFFAIR.
Wednesday, January 25th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Nita Prose about her debut novel, THE MAID, which is now in paperback. Nita also will answer questions from guests who will be "on stage," as well as from other members of the audience. If you would like to be one of our featured audience guests and ask Nita a question on camera, please send Carol an email with the subject line “The Maid” by Wednesday the 25th at noon ET.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here are our latest interviews:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
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Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, February 3rd at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from January 20th to February 3rd at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of EXILES by Jane Harper and THE SHARDS by Bret Easton Ellis.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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